Artwork
Nude Woman Standing, Drying Herself (Femme nue debout, a sa toilette)
Nude Woman Standing, Drying Herself (Femme nue debout, a sa toilette) is an ink print by the Impressionist artist Edgar Degas. It dates from 1890 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Nude Woman Standing, Drying Herself is a lithograph on laid paper created by French artist Edgar Degas around 1890. Characterized by rough, quick lines, the piece captures a private, everyday moment.
Subject & Meaning
The work depicts a woman in a personal, unguarded state, drying her hair after bathing. Her face remains hidden, emphasizing the intimacy of the scene. The composition focuses on her back, shoulders, and arms.
Technique & Style
Executed in lithography, the print features uneven, sketchy lines due to the technique of drawing ink on a smooth stone before transferring it to paper. This method suits the piece's candid, spontaneous appearance.
History & Provenance
While specific provenance details are not provided, the work is attributed to Degas's late 19th-century output, aligning with his broader exploration of nudes and everyday life, distinct from his more renowned depictions of dancers.
Context
This lithograph reflects Degas's preference for indoor, realist scenes over Impressionist plein-air painting. It showcases his ability to convey intimacy through precise, yet swift, draftsmanship.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
Artist
Born Hilaire-Germain-Edgar De Gas on 19 July 1834 in Paris, Edgar Degas came from an affluent banking family with aristocratic roots and spent his childhood among the cultivated circles of the French capital.
